Orange Hot Chocolate is the perfect beverage for those colder fall days and to keep you warm all winter. This recipe takes the classic hot chocolate and adds citrusy orange flavour for an even more decadent drink. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows for an indulgent treat!
Table of Content
About Orange Hot Chocolate
Make this dreary cold weather more bearable with my cup of Orange Hot Chocolate! For me, Winter is all about nourishing soups, cozy beverages and comfort food.
And do you know oranges are one of my favourite fruits (besides mangoes and watermelon)?! I also have a kid-friendly mini blueberry and orange muffins recipe, if you are interested!
Now onto this chocolatey drink, it has the perfect balance of the creamy hot chocolate and the zesty orange flavor. I think, orange and chocolate is a match made in heavens.
Adding orange to hot chocolate is a great way to get a richer, more luscious version of your usual cup of cocoa. It’s also easy to make so you can enjoy it whenever you want to have a comforting drink.
The key to getting the best from the recipe is to use fresh orange juice. You can even swap out the chocolate or the type of milk to vary it or to make it suitable for anyone with allergies.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chocolate - For the best results, use high quality dark chocolate, semi sweet chocolate, or even chocolate chips. Just make sure whatever chocolate you use is of good quality!
- Milk - There are many different kinds of milk that you can choose from, such as almond milk or oat milk. But if you want my personal preference, I would recommend whole cow's milk.
- Orange - Freshly squeezed orange juice works best in the recipe. Plus you can use the same orange to grate some zest to garnish your drink and add the rinds to the milk.
- Sugar - You don’t need to add sugar but I like my hot chocolate on the sweet side so I always add some.
- Cinnamon Powder - Stick with powder for this to avoid any lumps in your drink when you add it.
- Cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder works best as you already get sweetness from the chocolate and sugar.
How To Make Orange Hot Chocolate
- Simmer the orange peels with the milk and then let them infuse. The longer you rest the milk, the stronger the citrusy flavour will get. Remove the rind.
- Flavour the milk by adding chopped chocolate, cinnamon powder, cocoa powder and sugar to it.
- Whisk and bring this orange chocolate milk to a simmer. Add the orange juice and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour the orange hot chocolate into your cup, add your favourite toppings and enjoy warm!
Expert Tips
- Fresh orange juice gives the best results to this hot drink. You can also get pre-squeezed fresh juice from the store but be careful that it doesn’t have any additions to it.
- The longer you rest the milk with the orange peels, the stronger the citrusy flavour will get. You can taste after 10-15 minutes and if you prefer it punchier let the peels infuse more.
- Don't add the orange juice in the beginning. If you do, the milk will curdle. Instead, wait until the end to add it.
- If you're looking to make your hot cocoa dairy-free, there are a few substitutions you can make. Use dairy-free chocolate and milk in place of their traditional counterparts. This will help you create a delicious treat that’s perfect for anyone who is lactose intolerant.
Serving Ideas
Top this Orange Hot Chocolate and make it richer with sweetened whipped cream, marshmallows or shaved chocolate!
You can also keep it simple by dusting lots of cocoa powder and a dash of orange zest (that's how I did it). If you have, place some candied orange slices too.
Serve this cozy hot chocolate with biscotti, chocolate banana bread or any crunchy cookie dunked in it will be heavenly!
Variations
There are many variations you can do to this recipe to customize the flavours.
Some of my favourites include adding vanilla extract, honey and maple syrup. These additions add a depth of flavour that takes the drink to a whole new level.
Just want an indulgent hot cocoa without the orange? Try my luxurious French Hot Chocolate.
Hot Chocolate With Orange Extract
Orange extract is a convenient alternative to using fresh oranges. While the taste may not be as intense or authentic, a small amount can still bring a pleasant citrusy note to your dish.
Just remember to start off with a tiny bit – extracts tend to have a stronger and more artificial flavor compared to actual fruit. Personally I prefer using fresh oranges in this recipe because of their vibrancy and versatility – but in a pinch, orange extract can definitely do the trick.
FAQs
Yes! First, prepare the hot chocolate mixture with the orange. Allow it to cool before transferring to a sealed container or individual serving cups. When ready to serve, heat in the microwave or on the stove, stirring well to distribute any added ingredients.
I recommend consuming the drink within 2 days.
Whole cow's milk with at least 3.5% fat can help your orange hot chocolate reach its full potential. Other dairy milks such as whole goat's milk or sheep's milk can also provide a delicious alternative if you are looking for something unique. You can also use skim or non-dairy milk but they will not give the same level of creaminess and richness.
More Winter Beverages
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Did you try this and love it? Please rate the recipe or leave a review in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Orange Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup whole milk
- 50 g semi-sweet or dark chocolate chopped
- 1 orange's peel
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened
- 2 tablespoon orange juice fresh
Instructions
- In a pot, add milk and the orange peels and bring it to a simmer.
- Turn off heat and let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes covered. The longer milk rests with the orange rind the more flavour it will develop. I recommend 30 minutes if you have time to spare.
- Remove orange peels and add chocolate, cinnamon powder, sugar and cocoa powder. Whisk well.
- Put back on flame over medium heat and cook till the chocolate melts. Keep stirring in between.
- When the milk starts to simmer and the chocolate has melted, add the orange juice. Mix and cook on low heat for 2 minutes.
- Pour into a mug and dust with some cocoa powder and orange zest. Serve hot.
Notes
- Don't add the orange juice in the beginning or the milk will curdle.
- You can use pre-squeezed fresh orange juice or a dash of orange extract. Don't overdo with the extract.
Nutrition
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